Burn After Reading

Like most Coen films this gets better on a second watching; small details and connections that you missed first time around stick out more than the story do. From the Kubrick Shining-style beginning to the ending dialogue where a CIA officer tries to work out what their investigation has been about:

CIA Superior [shaking head]: Jesus Fucking Christ. What do we learn Palmer?
Palmer: I don't know sir.
CIA Superior: I don't fucking know either. [slight pause]. I guess we learn not to do it again.
Palmer: Yes sir.
CIA Superior: Although fucked if I know what we did.
Palmer: Yes sir, it's hard to say.
CIA Superior: [shaking head] Jesus fucking Christ. [closes file]

 

August 2009